WATCH: Mushfiqur Rahim gets out handling the ball in second Test against New Zealand

Bangladesh faced early struggles in the second Test against New Zealand after they won the toss and opting to bat. Losing four wickets for just 80 runs in the first session, the pitch favored the Kiwi bowlers. Despite Mahmudul Hasan Joy's initial promise, the batting woes continued with Zakir Hasan and Mominul Haque departing early. The critical moment came with Najmul Hossain Shanto's dismissal via a well-judged LBW review by New Zealand. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahadat Hossain then displayed resilience, gradually recovering from the shaky start with a gritty partnership, showcasing their experienced approach in the challenging conditions.

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But the incident which caught the eyes was the dismissal was the former wicket keeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim. In the post-lunch session of Day One in the second Test against New Zealand in Dhaka, Mushfiqur Rahim made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to be dismissed for handling the ball in Test cricket. The incident unfolded during the 41st over when Mushfiqur, at 35 runs, defended a delivery from pacer Kyle Jamieson.

As the ball veered wide of the wickets, he swatted it with his right hand, even though it wasn’t headed towards the stumps. This unusual dismissal makes Mushfiqur the eighth cricketer in Test history to be out in this manner.

Watch the video here;

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Mushfiqur Rahim becomes the first Bangladesh player to be dismissed for handling the ball.pic.twitter.com/cMdWVcNpNt

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 6, 2023

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Bangladesh will be looking to win their first test series against New Zealand

Bangladesh sought another all-round display in the second Test against New Zealand, aiming for their first-ever series victory over the Kiwis. Following a 150-run win in Sylhet, the team showcased a collective effort with notable performances from Taijul Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Contributions from Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz complemented Shanto's century.

On the other hand, the Kiwi would be aiming to maintain their unbeaten Test series record in Bangladesh, strived for a turnaround. Captain Tim Southee emphasized bowler consistency, especially Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel. They sought improved top-order support for Kane Williamson and better execution of sweep shots. Bangladesh eyed strong performances from Taijul, Mehidy, and Nayeem Hasan, emphasizing consistent catching standards and contributions from Zakir Hasan, Nurul Hasan, and Mominul Haque.